Re: Not a "good pumper". Need advice.
Mama, it sounds like you are doing a great job providing milk for your baby. And absolutely keep doing that and keep troubleshooting ways to do more. But there's nothing wrong with you. Some women just don't respond as well to the pump. I didn't. Your output sounds about like mine was when I went back to work. The most I ever came home with was 5-6 ounces and that was on a rare good day. I was never able to pump enough to cover what my kids were taking. They were supplemented with formula during the day. Am I saying this is what you need to do? Absolutely not. I've seen many many mothers here who didn't pump well and were able to get around pumping difficulties in various ways and never have to supplement. I just want you to know that if you can't, it doesn't mean the end of your breastfeeding relationship. I continued to exclusively nurse my children when I was with them. They never got bottles when I was available to nurse. I let them nurse on demand, even at night (my daughter was a frequent night nurser, my son not so much). That kept my supply up and kept our nursing relationship going. I nursed my daughter until she was two and never had supply issues. I suppose the main point I'm trying to make is that pumping issues don't have to mean supply issues and supplementing doesn't have to mean an end to nursing.
“We are not put on earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other. If you are there always for others, then in time of need, someone will be there for you.”
--Anonymous